State of the Marine Environment Trinidad & Tobago - 2016 State of the Marine Environment Trinidad & Tobago - 2016 State of the Marine Environment Trinidad & Tobago - 2016 i A Publication of the Institute of Marine Affairs Copyright 2016© Institute of Marine Affairs Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas, Trinidad, West Indies http://www.ima.gov.tt Foreword The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) is the only multi-disciplinary coastal, marine and environmen- tal research organization in the CARICOM States established to conduct inter-disciplinary studies. IMA was established and incorporated in accordance with the provisions of an Act of Parliament, No. 15 of 1976, now Chapter 37:01 in the Revised Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and became operational in 1978. For more than 35 years, the IMA has pioneered and participated in numerous programmes local- ly and regionally, and advised the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on the sustainable management of the coastal and marine resources. IMA’s mission is to conduct and foster research and to provide advice for the sustainable management of the coastal and marine areas and resources of Trinidad and Tobago. The IMA uses widely accepted and published scientific methodologies to conduct its research and monitoring programme. This State of the Marine Environment Report attempts to convert sound scientific data into perti- nent information that can be used by decision-makers, policy makers and the wider public to inform development planning. Trinidad and Tobago’s marine and coastal environment is extremely important for its development and sustainability. IMA is willing to partner with sister agencies, local and regional academic institutions and community based organisations to foster science-based management, and to support the Science-Policy nexus. Mrs. Toylan Arneaud Director (Ag) Institute of Marine Affairs State of the Marine Environment Trinidad & Tobago - 2016 iii Acknowledgements The State of the Marine Environment Report 2016 is a publication of the Institute of Marine Affairs, with contributions from Dr. Rahanna Juman, Mr. Kahlil Hassanali, Dr. Farahnaz Solomon, Dr. Darryl Banjoo, Mr. Attish Kanhai, Ms. Wendy Nelson, Ms. Christine Bullock, Mr. Sheldon Ramoutar, Mr. Christopher Alexis and Ms. Rachael Amoroso. Photographs were provided by Mr. Jonathan Gomez and maps were prepared by Mr. Hamish Asmath. The design and layout of the report was done by Mr. Karl Doyle with the assistance of Mr. Brent Yates. The report was reviewed by Dr. Floyd Homer, Dr. Beverly Foster-Hinds and Ms. Lorraine Barrow. The IMA wishes to thank all its technical and support staff for their contribution to the production of this report. Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 1 2. Introduction 4 3. Approach 5 4. Pollution 7 Total Suspended Solids 8 Hydrocarbons 9 Nutrient Pollution 10 Heavy Metals 11 Bathing Beach Water Quality 14 North Coast of Trinidad 15 West Coast of Trinidad 17 5. Beaches and Bays 21 6. Mangrove Swamp 29 7. Seagrass Beds 35 8. Coral Reefs 39 9. Soft-bottom Benthic Community 45 10. Marine Fisheries 47 11. Emerging Issues 53 Climate Change 54 Sargassum 55 Lionfish 56 12. Policy Intervention 59 13. Conclusion 63 14. Selected References 65 State of the Marine Environment Trinidad & Tobago - 2016 v Executive Summary The State of the Marine Environment Report 2016 pro- Coastal water pollution has also partially influenced vides a scientifically grounded understanding of the the observed decline of important ecosystems such as condition of some of Trinidad and Tobago’s important coral reefs and seagrass beds. coastal and marine ecosystems, habitats and species. It also details how the status of these resources have Many coral reefs around Tobago have been experienc- been, and are being affected by the range of natural ing phase shifts in benthic cover away from hard coral and human pressures to which they are subjected. In to species more tolerant of nutrient enriched water. compiling this report therefore, some degree of insight Similarly, waning health and loss of Thalassia domi- has been presented into the future prospects for the nated seagrass beds in both Tobago and Trinidad, have country’s coastal and marine environment should a been linked to poor water quality from land-based pol- ‘business as usual’ scenario be perpetuated into the lution (nutrients and sediments). Loss of seagrass beds future. would result in loss of their ecosystem services such as coastal protection and habitat for fish and other Pollution of coastal waters has proven to be an ongo- marine species. There is an urgent need to manage, ing and pervasive problem. In parts of the Gulf of Paria and in some areas, rehabilitate our seagrass communi- along Trinidad’s west coast the problem is particular- ty to ensure that they continue to provide a safe haven ly acute. However, country-wide, areas with elevated for rich biodiversity, and protect our coastline. parameters such as total suspended solids, hydrocar- bons, nutrients, faecal coliform and heavy metals have At the same time, a third major coastal ecosystem, man- been identified. This pollution problem has been found groves, has been shown to be undergoing degradation to be mainly land-based; where run off and effluent and habitat loss, not so much because of pollution, but from terrestrial sources and activities have negatively through land-use change and development. impacted coastal sediment and water quality. Health and safety standards at several bathing beaches in Trinidad and Tobago have been compromised and some shellfish species may be unsafe for human consumption. Sediment plumes emanating from the Maraval River and coastal reclamation activity in Port-of-Spain State of the Marine Environment Trinidad & Tobago - 2016 1 Waning health and loss of Thalassia dominated seagrass beds in both Tobago and Trinidad, have been linked to poor water quality from land-based pollution (nutrients and sediments) Loss of mangrove forest will increase threat to human is already a problem. Accelerated erosion in the future safety and increase damage to shorelines from coast- as a result of climate change and sea level rise has al hazards such as erosion, flooding, and storm waves the potential to put critical coastal infrastructure and and surges. It will decrease coastal water quality, coastal communities at further risk. The ongoing long reduce biodiversity, eliminate fish and crustacean term coastal monitoring program, which needs to be nursery habitat, adversely affect adjacent coastal strengthened, is essential for continued identification habitats, and eliminate a major resource for human of at risk areas, and the designing and implementation communities that traditionally rely on mangroves for of effective ecosystem-based solutions. This would numerous products and services. Furthermore, man- inform development planning in the coastal zone. grove destruction can release large quantities of stored carbon and exacerbate global warming trends. The Within the context of the ocean-based economy, this range of essential ecosystem services these ecologi- report has also shown the imperative need to safeguard cal communities provide cannot be overstated. Thus, Trinidad and Tobago’s fisheries resources – a source of reasserted efforts must be made to alleviate negative livelihood and nutrition for some of this country’s most pressures on them and boost their resilience. marginalised groups and communities. Several species of commercially important fish have been found to be Increased ecological resilience i.e. the capacity of an fully exploited or overexploited. However, legislation ecosystem to respond to perturbations by resisting needed to rectify the virtually open access nature of damage and recovering quickly, is especially needed in this country’s fisheries and modernise fisheries prac- the face of climate change and its associated hazards. tices to make them more sustainable, is in draft form For instance, climate change is expected to worsen and needs to be urgently laid in Parliament. Fish and incidences of bleaching as a result of elevated sea sur- shell fish nursery habitats such as mangrove swamps face temperatures on Tobago’s reefs, and increase the and seagrass beds also need to be conserved and/ or occurrence of diseases, making the reef less attractive restored to ensure food security. for tourism. Furthermore, the threats posed by cli- mate change may become particularly evident when Updating relevant policy and legislation to enhance it comes to coastal erosion. This report has identified the coastal and marine governance framework, mak- a few areas around the country where coastal erosion ing it more effective in the context of Trinidad and State of the Marine Environment Trinidad & Tobago - 2016 2 Tobago’s current and projected future reality, is essen- tial if we are to treat with issues highlighted in this State of the Marine Environment Report. Effective implementation of formulated plans and policies also hinge on the adequate resourcing of management and regulatory agencies and ensuring that these bodies, in partnership with civil society, genuinely co-ordinate actions and activities across sectors, space and time. Monitoring and evaluation of management interven- tions are also critical to facilitate adaptive management in an uncertain future. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) explicitly seeks this. The adoption of an ICZM Policy and the mainstreaming into practice of well-established ICZM principles would aid Trinidad and Tobago to